Lambeth - What's on for the family - September 22nd -23rd 2012

Nearly time for the weekend again ! The cold air of Autumn is really starting to be felt so time to get out the big cosy jumpers to wrap up for some outings with the little ones!

Saturday (22nd September)

Saturday is abundant with things to do this weekend.

Local to Lambeth is the Stockwell Festival. Here’s hoping for good weather as local residents bring together food, markets and entertainment to Larkhall Park. Boosted by the working of the South Lambeth Market and the Cavendish Arms Pub, there will be more stalls and cabaret from the various nights at the pub. 

For the kids, there is a bouncy castle, magic show, infant funfair, children's sports day games and other entertainments. As long as the weather stays good, this should keep mum, dad and juniors very happy! The festival runs from 11:45am to 6pm and as mentioned is held at Larkhall Park. To get there, you can either catch a bus that goes along Wandsworth road, 77, 77a and 196 or one that goes along Clapham Road (Buses 88, 155).

And while you are heading that way, pop into Stockwell Studios at the former Annie McCall Hospital, McCall Close, Jeffreys Rd (off Clapham Road: Buses 88,155),  SW4 6QU. The building is open so take the opportunity to have a look around. There is a lovely garden for the kids to have a wander including a great tree house. For the grown-up you can look around at the art work. This might be one of the last opportunities to see this space as it is. It's not really buggy friendly though we have got the pushchair up and down the stairs!

For the architecture fans, it’s London’s Open House Weekend, an opportunity to wander around London's buildings for free. Is there anything the family can do together?  Lets have a look...

Open only on the Saturday is City Hall, (The Queens Walk, SE1 2AA  near Tower Bridge) the home of the Greater London Authority. It’s definitely worth a visit. You catch a lift to the top, check out the view and them walk down a very long spiral staircase. They have an activity for children between 11am -3pm on the top floor..This is for kids aged 5-10 and involves creating a re-imagined London.
 
The building is open between 9am to 6pm. From LB of Lambeth, it is best to catch buses 133 or 35 to London Bridge and walk to the building. This visit is probably not suited for buggy babies (although you could just catch the lift up to the top and back down again).

And whilst you are down that way, check out the Bermondsey Street Festival, just down the road from City Hall. Activities includes, fancy dress, maypole dancing, a tug of war and a dog show. Sounds intriguing! Do visit!

Looking to stay local, then head to Myatts Field to celebrate the Harvest Festival with them. There will be music, chutney making and a wild food trail. The park has a good playground and a cafe using produce grown in the greenhouses.

Myatts Fields is located on Cormont Road( SE5 9RA) (Buses 36, 185 and 436 to Camberwell New Road, Buses 3, 59, 159  and 133 along the Brixton road. A ten minute walk from there.) The event is on from 1pm til 5pm.

Sunday (23rd September)

 For your Sunday, there are still many Open House places to visit this weekend.

For those with the baby in the pushchair, a history tour of West Norwood Cemetery might make the day pleasant. Walks start at 2pm, 2:30pm and 3pm and take around an hour and a half. I’m sure you can leave if Junior starts screaming! Meet inside the Cemetery Gates. Buses from Brixton to West Norwood are 2, 322, 196 and 432.

Across the road is another Open House place, the South London Theatre, the Old Fire Station, 2a Norwood High Street, SE27 9NS (open from 1pm to 5pm). Unfortunately this isn’t buggy friendly but work with those who have older children. With all it’s nooks and crannies and it’s history as a fire station and theatre it is sure to get the imagination going!

For those in the Streatham area, take a hop across South London to Tooting for another place which probably can’t cope with the buggy – the Gala Bingo Hall (open from 9:30am to 11:am). This has an amazing interior – there is something rather magical about the place. I’m not sure how much a child would appreciate it but I still dream about the castles I visited as a child so you never know what might stay in a young child’s minds. Buses to Tooting are 333, 155 and 355.

And a last place to pop into on the Open House weekend is the Dulwich Picture gallery which will be holding some activities for children. Catch the P4 to this part of the world!

Come rain or shine, inside or outside, whatever you are doing this weekend, have a good one!